Apparatus for assembling a printing plate



Aug. 29. 1967 A.GRAND1NETT| ETAL 3,338,157

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING A PRINTING PLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 7, 1965 Aug. 29, 1967 A. GRANDINETTI ETAL 3,33857 APPARATUS FOR SSEMBLING A PRINTING PLATE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 7, 1965 United States Patent Oli ice 3,338,157 Patented Aug. 29, 1967 3,338,157 APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING A PRINTING PLATE Attlllo G randinetti, Villa Park, Kenneth M. Burns, Lincolnslnre, and Robert D. Furry, Long Lake, Ill., assignors to Electrographic Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 7, 1965, Ser. No. 424,066 7 Claims. (Cl. 100-47) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for compacting layers of electrotype, backmg material and a mounting plate into an integrated printing plate assembly between a pair of upper and lower rollers. The upper roller is mounted for vertically adjustable movement and is moved from its normal up position by foot-operated pneumatic piston cylinders. Shock absorbers between the upper and lower roller mounts tend to urge the rollers apart such that in the lowermost position of the top roller the shock absorbers are compressed by the piston pressure. The lower roller is positively driven by a sprocket-and-chain coupled between the lower roller shaft and a motor. A pinion also carried by the roller shaft drives a rack in horizontal reciprocating movement. Adjustable limit blocks carried by the rack operate reversing switches which control the direction and operation of the motor shaft. Thus the plate assembly is reciprocated back-and-forth from end-to-end between the compacting rollers.

T'he surface of the lower roller contains a plurality of recesses receiving pins which register with the corresponding notches in the printing plate assembly to initially aline the latter at the start of the rolling operation. A switch is automatically operated by a cam associated with the rack, or a linger associated with the lower roller, for stopping the roller in position for receiving a printing plate assembly at the end of each cycle of operation.

This invention relates to an apparatus for assembling a printing plate and is an improvement upon the apparatus disclosed in the copending application of Attilio Grandinetti, Ser. No. 372,052, iled June 2, 1964, directed to a method and apparatus for assembling a printing plate, assigned to the same assigneee as the instant application.

As is more fully disclosed in said copending application, printing plates for which the present invention is adapted consists of a thin electrotype, a mounting plate and an intervening backing layer, usually of plastic. The printing plate utilizes an electrotype which may be of copper, magnesium, or even of plastic, and is generally thin, of the order of about .008 to .012. The printing surface of the electrotype is created by electro-deposition in a mold former in a at sheet of moldable material.

Due to the fact that the electrotype material is quite thin itself, the entire thickness of electrotype material is shaped in connection with the electro-deposition so that the rear or inactive face of the electrotype has reverse or intaglio areas.

The pressure applied to the printing surface in connection with printing is such that the electrotype material must have the rear reinforced to prevent damage. The mounting plate is usually of aluminum or other materialmetal or plastic-and permits the electrotype to be handled and locked in position in a printing press. The mounting plate itself is of uniform gauge and has smooth faces on both sides.

The plastic between the mounting plate and the printing plate, as more fully explained in the above-identified application, must have desirable cementing, as well as mechanical properties. The apparatus disclosed and claimed in the copending application identified above functions to apply pressure to the electrotype, plastic and mounting plate to integrate the three into a unitary structure. The pressure is applied along a line usually extending along one dimension of the plate, generally the width, and this line of pressure is advanced from one end of the plate to the other end. While the structure disclosed in the application referred to above is satisfactory for assembling printing plates, the apparatus -is not for high speed production and requires a high degree of care and watchfulness on the part of an operator. In accordance with the present invention, an improved apparatus is made possible by the present invention, so that the assembling of the components of a printing plate is simpler, With a decided improvement in the work and with little danger of poor workmanship or damage.

A full description of the invention will now be given in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a front elevation of the new machine embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the machine illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail on line 5-5 of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail on line 6-6 of FIG- URE 1; and f FIGURE 7 is a circuit diagram of the switch connections.

Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention can be supported on any suitable table or the like, and is here illustrated as being disposed on a steel framework consisting of four vertical angle irons forming legs, identied respectively as 10,. 11, 12 and 13. The four legs are maintained in position by horizontally disposed angle irons 15 and 16 which extend from the front of the machine toward the rear respectively. In this particular instance, angle iron 15 extends from leg 16 to leg 13, while angle iron 16 extends from leg 11 to leg 12. The mechanism itself is disposed along the tops of the various legs and serves to stiiien the structure.

`Cross member 18, consisting of an angle iron, is also provided and extends between legs 10 and 11, with a 4corresponding cross member parallel to 18 being disposed at the rear for reenforcing the structure. Between the cross members is supported angle iron 21 from which extends angle iron 22 downwardly toward the floor upon which the legs are supported. Angle iron 22 is disposed at a convenient location between the legs and carries foot control 23, which will be described in further detail later.

Rigidly secured to angle irons 15 and 16 and the tops of the four legs are vertical bearing support structures, generally indicated as 24a and 2411. Bearing support structure 24a is carried by legs 10 and 13. Bearing support structure 24b is carried .by legs 11 and 12. The two bearing support structures support between them a lower roller and a vertically adjustable upper roller to be described.

Each of the bearing support structures has support plate proper 25 having tapped passages 26 and 27 into which bolts 2S and 29 are threaded. These bolts extend through suitable openings in side blocks 30 and 31 and retaining strips 32 and 33. The entire structure provides a vertically disposed region having a generally rectangular cross section. Rigidly supported in the lower portion of the bearing support structures are blocks 35 in which are disposed ball bearing assemblies 36 (see FIGURE 3). The ball bearing assemblies 36 Iare retained in position as illustrated in FIGURE 3, and the top of each block 3 35 is provided with pin 40 for locating the bottom of shock absorbing coil spring 41 extending upwardly from each block. It is understood that the entire bearing structure at each side is lixed in position, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, and accommodates reduced end 43 of a lower roller, generally indicated by 45.

Disposed vertically above each lower roller bearing structure is vertically movable block 47 supporting ball bearing assembly 48 accommodating reduced end 49 of top roller 50. Bearing support block 47 at each end of roller 50 is rigidly secured to threaded rod 52 which is adapted to be moved vertically by means to be described.

The arrangement for the upper bearing assembly is such that the entire assembly is movable vertically between plate 25 on the one hand, and plates 32 and 33 on the other hand.

Each of the two threaded rods 52 is part of a piston rod which cooperates respectively with pistons 55 and 56 operating in air cylinders 57 and 58. As illustrated in FIG- URES l and 2 of the drawings, the two cylinders have air supply pipes at the two ends thereof. Thus cylinder 57 has supply pipes 60 and 61 at the top and bottom thereof thereof respectively. Similarly, cylinder 58 has supply pipes 62 and 63 at the top and bottom respectively. Thus uid may be introduced into each cylinder on each side o f the piston as desired to secure an upward or downward movement of the piston in each instance.

Supply pipes 60 and 62 for the tops of the two cylinders are connected through adjustable reducing valves 65 and 66 to fitting 67, which is connected by pipe 68 down to a valve on foot control 23.

Supply pipes 61 and 63 are connected through tting 70 to pipe line 71 going to the valve on foot control 23. Foot control 23 has a valve for controlling compressed air from supply pipe 73. The arrangement of the foot control is such that compressed air from pipe 73 may be fed through either pipe l68 or 71, as desired, the remaining pipe being able to exhaust to atmosphere.

Insofar as pipe 71 is concerned, the valve at foot control 23 permits direct exhaust to atmosphere. In order to permit pipes 60 and 62 to exhaust to atmosphere, a pair of valves 74a and 74b have their intakes connected to pipes `60 and 62 respectively and the outlets to atmosphere. Valves 74a and 7417 are normally biased to an open position. However, mechanical connections from foot control 23 to valves 74a and 74b permit closing these valves when foot control 23 is in off-normal position. Thus when foot control 23 is in its normal position, as illustrated in FIGURE 1, air from supply pipe 73 will be connected to pipe 71 and will notonly move pistons 55 and 56 to their upper positions, but will also open valves 74a and 74h to permit exhausting to atmosphere. It is possible that certain types of pressure-reducing valves may permit reverse flow through them if the pressure in supply pipe 68 drops to atmosphere. In such case, the alternative arrangement of valves 74a and 74b will not be necessary. When foot control 23 is operated by the machine operator, valves 74a and 74b will be released to normal closed position and air will be supplied to the top parts of the cylinder.

The reducing valve arrangement is in the air supply line going to the tops of the two cylinders and associated with each reducing valve is a pressure gauge. Each reducing valve has means for adjusting the drop in pressure therethrough so that the pressure applied to the top of each of pistons 55 and 56 may be adjusted relatively to each other to secure a desired even action tending to move top roller 50 down against bottom roller 45.

It will be noted that coil springs 41 above the bearing blocks for the bottom roller will be engaged by the top bearing block before the top roller can drop to the limit of its travel with respect to the bottom roller. Thus the final position of top roller 50 will be maintained by air pressure against t-he compression of the two springs. By virtue of this arrangement, any cut-olf of the air supply will result in the top roller being forced upwardly for a short distance by the two coil springs even though no air in the lines is present.

Foot control 23 is normally biased so that the mechanism is in the position illustrated in FIGURE l where air pressure tends to elevate the top rollers. This means that under such conditions, foot control 23 normally tends to permit lines 60 and 62 above the cylinders to exhaust to air. Thus, any failure on the part of the air system or any removal of the operator from the position at the foot control will automatically permit the top roller to rise at least a minimum distance above the bottom roller.

Cylinders 57 and 58 are rigidly supported on cross bar 79 extending across the machine from the tops `of plates 25. The general objective of pressing'the rollers together for action on the plate assembly is the same as in the application previously identified.

Bottom roller 45 is provided with a plurality of threaded recesses 75. Each threaded recess 75 -has disposed therein threaded socket 76 provided with an aperture or channel for receiving pin 77 pressed upwardly or outwardly by spring 78. Pin 77 is provided with laterally extending pin portions 80 for providing a bayonet type of coupling with socket 76. Pin 77 is slotted at its upper end and when turned in the proper direction permits the withdrawal of the pin from the socket. The arrangement of the spring pressed pins is for the same purpose as corresponding pins in the application previously identified and is for the pjur pose of engaging slots or holes in plate 83 being pressed between the rollers. It is understood that assembly plate 83 consists of the backing plate, plastic and electrotype.

Of the two rollers, only bottom roller 45 is positively driven. This is accomplished by having one reduced bearing portion 43 of the roller shaft extend beyond plate 25 through a suitable opening 85 therein, so that projecting portion 87 of roller 45 is available as a drive shaft portion.

Rigidly secured to the end of drive shaft portion 87 ofV Bar is supported in a horizontal position for longitudinal movement by guide block 96 suitably bolted to plate 25 of support assembly 24b. Guide block 96 is long enough to maintain bar 95 in a horizontal position. The regions of support between rack 93 and bar 954 at the ends of bar 95 are spaced apart sufficiently so that rack 93 can travel back and forth over the longest range of travel necessary in the use of the machine.

Adjustably secured to kbar 95 are limit blocks 97 and 98. The two are laterally offset and each of these blocks may be adjusted along the length of bar 95 by means of individual tightening screws 99 and 100. 'Each block is adapted to be moved along bar 95 to a desired position and tightly clamped. These two blocks are adapted to operate reversing switches for the purpose of controlling the direction of rotation of motor 90. This motor reversing control is obtained by having a pair of laterally offset cams 102 and 103 for cooperation with each of stop blocks 97 and 98. Both of these cams are rigidly secured to switch control shaft -10'5 which enters housing 106 wherein reversing switches for controlling the direction of rotation of an electric motor for driving the mechanism are located. The cams are so shaped that when either of blocks 97 or 98 are moved toward the corresponding cam, cam shaft will be turned in one direction or the other for proper switch control.

It is clear that either of limit blocks 97 or 98 may be adjusted in connection with their cooperating cams so that any desired plate assembly Within the limits of the machine may be handled automatically.

It is possible to combine cams 102 and 103 into one cam and to have reversing blocks 97 and 98 in aligned relation rather than being laterally offset. Y

In the use of the machine, it is desirable to start the rolling operation of the plate assembly between the rollers halfway between the front and rear ends of the plate. This is because the Valigning notches or holes in the plate assembly are disposed there and can register with the outwardly projecting pins carried by the lower roller, assuming that the pins are properly spaced along the length of the roller to engage the apertures or slots in the plate assembly. This locking arrangement between the'plate assembly and the lower roller is provided at the beginning of a rolling cycle. Once rolling has begun, the plate assembly moves back and forth between the rollers and the pins are disengaged and engaged successively by the plate assembly apertures or slots.

It is desirable to provide automatic means for stopping the mechanism so that the lower roller is in proper position for receiving a plate assembly =to be aligned with the pins of the lower roller. This is obtained by switch means 110 carried by plate 25. Switch means 110 is controlled by roller 111 supported at -the end of an arm pivotally mounted on switch means 110. Roller 111 cooperates with cam plate 112 adjustably attached to rack bar 95 substantially at the mid region along the length thereof. Cam plate 112 is shaped to provide a cam surface for actuating roller 111 and operating the switch each time :the rack bar is at the desired position for stopping a cycle of operation.

Referring to FIGURE 7, there is illustrated a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuitry. Power line 115 has one conductor 116 going to one terminal of the motor armature. The other terminal of the motor armature is connected to switch contact 118 of rever-sing switches 119 and 120 in housing 106. Field 121 of motor 90 has one terminal connected to the bottom contact of switch 120 and has its other terminal connected to the top contact of switch 120. Field 121 is also connected, as illustrated, to the two contacts of switch 119. The arrangement is such that if both switches are simultaneously operated by the cams, the field connections of motor 90 will 4be reversed for control of direction of motor rotation.

The power circuit is completed by wire 124 being connected to the movable conta-ct of reversing switch portion 120. Wire 124 is connected through switch S and main On-Oif switch M to the lower wire of the power source. Switch S has connected across the contacts thereof a shunt circuit comprising motor resistor 126 connected in series with switch 110. Shunted across the contacts of switch 110 is auxiliary switch C. It is understood that when roller 111 is in the position illustrated in FIGURE 7, switch 110 will be open. Thus if switch S is moved to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 (open), then motor 90 will be deenergized even if main switch M is closed. When switch S is closed, the motor will start and move rack 93 away from the center position. The direction of rotation will be controlled by the setting of the reversing switches. If it is desired to stop, switch S is opened and the motor will be slowed down by resistor 126 and will stop at the rack position illustrated in FIGURE 7, whichever direction the motor is turning. If it is desired to inch the motor along slowly, switch S is kept open and switch C is closed. This will short circuit rack controlled switch 110 and permit the motor to turn.

It is possible to have the various switches after the main On-Otf switch M operate relays for controlling the direction of motor rotation and for controlling the stopping and starting of the motor from a center rack position.

While no means for heating a roller is disclosed herein, it is understood that the bottom roller or the top roller, as desired, may be provided with an electric heater ysuch as, for example, disclosed in the application previously identied. Similarly, it is possible to have either or both of the rollers covered with a flexible .or compressible material such as rubber.

Instead of having the cam and switch arrangement 6 supported on the bar carrying the rack for indexing the stop on said bottom roller to a predetermined center position, it is possible to provide a finger upon the bottom roller to cooperate with a switch for effect-ing the stopping of said electric motor in a center position.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for compacting layers making'an integrated printing plate, said means comprising a base, means for supporting two bearing support structures in spaced parallel relation, said supporting structures extending vertically in the normal position of said machine, a Ibottom roller, bearings ixedly secured in said bearing support strucrtures for horizontally supporting said bottom roller for rotation, a top roller, bearings for said top roller, means for slidably supporting said bearings for said top roller in said bearing support structures, said top bearings being movable vertically and permitting rotation of said top roller generally about a horizontal axis while permitting movement of said roller vertically of said axis, separate power means for vertically moving said top roller at each end thereof, power means for turning said bottom roller about its axis, and means for controlling said last-named power means for determining the direction of rotation of said bottom roller.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein coil springs are disposed between the upper and lower roller bearings whereby when said power means moves said top roller, said coil springs will be compressed, said coil springs being adapted to separate said two rollers in the event of a failure of power for moving said top roller.

3. Means for compacting the layers of a printing plate, said means comprising a base, means for supporting two bearing support structures in spaced parallel relation, said supporting structures extending vertically in the normal position of said machine, a bottom roller, bearings ixedly secured in said bearing structures for horizontally supporting said bottom roller for rotation, a top roller, bearings for said top roller, means for slidably supporting said bearings for said top roller in said bearing structures, said top bearings being movable vertically and permitting rotation of said top roller about a generally horizontal axis while permitting movement of said roller vertically of said axis, power means supported on said vertical bearing structures for moving said top roller down toward or away from said bottom roller, separate power means for turning said bottom roller about its axis, and means controlled by a predetermined rotary position of said bottom roller for disabling said last named power means to stop Isaid bottom roller in said predetermined position.

4. The structure according to claim 3 wherein said means for controlling said bottom roller power means includes a member horizontally movable by said bottom roller and means carried by said member for controlling an electric switch for disabling the power means.

5. The construction -according to claim 3 wherein a longitudinally movable member is coupled to said bottom roller for movement over a predetermined linear range corresponding to a range of rotary movement of said bottom roller and wherein means are carried by said longitudinally movable member for controlling the direction of movement of the power means for turning said bottom roller.

6. The machine according to claim 3 wherein means are provided for automatically stopping the rotation of said rst named roller at a predetermined rotary position thereof, said means ncludinga rack and pinion, said pinion being coupled to said lower roller, and means controlled by said rack for automatically disabling the drive for said lower roller at the desired position of said lower roller.

7. The machine according to claim 6 wherein said automatic stopping means and said rack have associated therewith means for automatically reversing the direction 7 of roller drive when said rst named rnller has turned a predetermined amount from its starting position and means for keeping said turning means for said first named roller in operation for any desired number of motor reversing cycles.

8 References Cited 5 IRVING BUNEVICH, Primm Examiner.. 

1. MEANS FOR COMPACTING LAYERS MAKING AN INTEGRATED PRINTING PLATE, SAID MEANS COMPRISING A BASE, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING TWO BEARING SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION, SAID SUPPORTING STRUCTURES EXTENDING VERTICALLY IN THE NORMAL POSITION OF SAID MACHINE, A BOTTOM ROLLER, BEARINGS FIXEDLY SECURED IN SAID BEARING SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR HORIZONTALLY SUPPORTING SAID BOTTOM ROLLER FOR ROTATION, A TOP ROLLER, BEARINGS FOR SAID TOP ROLLER, MEANS FOR SLIDABLY SUPPORTING SAID BEARINGS FOR SAID TOP ROLLER IN SAID BEARING SUPPORT STRUCTURES, SAID TOP BEARINGS BEING MOVABLE VERTICALLY AND PERMITTING ROTATION OF SAID TOP ROLLER GENERALLY ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS WHILE PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF SAID ROLLER VERTICALLY OF SAID AXIS, SEPARATE POWER MEANS FOR VERTICALLY MOVING SAID TOP ROLLER AT EACH 